Firar att båtlivet kommit igång och drar iväg för en första blåsig seglingsdag i Östersjön ⛵️⛵️.

Ice gone!!! Archipelago here we come. We get high on the freedom.

Beginning to realise that Easter sailing will not be possible. Make an excursion to the island by skates and enjoying the sun.

As the ice is too thick to get out of our home harbour under our own sails we take advantage of Birka Cruises amazing offer and spend 22 hours enjoying superior cabin, great food and wine and undescribable scenery.

A friend painted our boat in oil. Together with some tulips it keeps our spirits up :-).

It takes a few hours to put the winter cover on. We are quite good at it but the cold makes it tough on the fingers. Some things cannot be done with gloves on. The forecast for the coming days makes us hurry, in a few days the cold will be severe.

We make the decision not to leave the harbour on New Year’s Eve. Collect the sails, they will need some drying at home, and plan to cover the boat in a few days.

We leave the island in no hurry, there is no wind. The ice surprises us. We have broken ice before but not with this boat. I worry, but on inspection in our home harbour the verdict is: no damage, not a bruise.

4th advent Sunday and traditional Christmas eve. Barbecue, Christmas lights, star gazing and Santa. Christmas with the family on Boxing Day instead.